The TABERNACLE

 Revelation, A Holy Convocation of The High Priest and His Priests 

Introduction 

We have previously noted that the book of Revelation is a holy convocation of Jesus Christ, God's High Priest, and His priests (every child of God). A “holy convocation” was not a gathering of the people for worship, but a gathering of priests for the offering of special sacrifices. (Lev 23:37). 

There were a number of sacrifices and offerings God instituted in scripture, which include:

1. Burnt offering 

2. Meal offering 

3. Sin offering 

4. Trespass offering 

5. Peace offering 

6.Firstfruits offering 

All of these sacrifices and offerings were conducted in the Tabernacle.But first before we delve into these feasts, we will look at the Tabernacle.

Immediately after God ratified His covenantwith Israel, God had this to say to them through His servant Moses

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. - Exo 25:8 - 9

The tabernacle was the heart of ancient Israel - literally. Both physically and spiritually the focal point of the nation, it was the point of meeting between God and His people. Physically speaking, whether Israel was camping, or on the move, God commanded the nation to do so in an arrangement that placed the tabernacle right at the centre of the tribes. God's emphasis on the tabernacle, and the sacrifices and offerings conducted there on a daily basis ensured that it was impossible for any day to go by without the Israelites thinking, and participating in the symbolic rituals conducted therein. Their lives were regulated by it. 

We will first look at the Tabernacle and then the sacrifices God commanded Israel to offer therein as presented in the Revelation. Remember, the intent here is not an exegesis of these concepts, but just to present sufficient material to show that these themes are interwoven in the discourse of the book. 

I. THE TABERNACLE 

The Tabernacle consisted of three distinct sections: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. The Tabernacle itself was a two-room structure that stood in an area referred to as the court or courtyard surrounded by a tall fence. There was only one door through which anyone could access the Courtyardof the Tabernacle.  Passing through the gate, the first place one would get to within the Courtyard was the Outer Court.

INSERT PICTURE OF THE TABERNACLE 

1. The Outer Court

This was the open courtyard in which the Tabernacle stood. It was not roofed or covered but open to the illumination of the sun and moon. The outer court was accessible to the people, and was the place were they brought their animals for sacrifice, and alongside the priests, performed the ritualistic killing of the various sacrifices commanded by God. It contained two pieces of furniture: the brazen altar, and the brazen laver. 

Whereas animals were sacrificed on the brazen altar, the brazen laver was for the priests to cleanse themselves before entering the Holy Place. It was a place symbolic of cleansing the worshipper from uncleanness both by blood, and water (symbolic of the blood of Jesus, and the word of God respectively).

The language used in the first chapter of Revelation is reminiscent of activities performed on the sacrifices in the outer court.

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood - Rev 1:5

2. The Holy Place

The Tabernacle proper was a tent covered structure of two rooms: the first called the Holy Place, and second, the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies.) Just as only one door led into the Courtyard, so also only one door led into the Holy Place, which was separated from the Most Holy Place by a linen veil. Only the priests (and High Priest) were allowed into the Holy Place.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. - Rev 4:1

Three pieces of furniture were located in the Holy place - the Golden Lampstand, Table of Showbread and Altar of Incense.

A. The Golden Lampstand - 

Due to the coverings over the Tabernacle,  the structure  could not receive the natural illumination of the sun or moon. Once one entered the Holy Place, the only source of illumination was the Golden Lampstand (an upright shaft with three branches extending from each side with a lamp atop each branch forming a total of seven lamps - Exo 25:31-40), which God commanded Israel to keep burning continuously with pure olive oil supplied by the priests (Exo 27:20). 

The Golden Lampstand is symbolic of the illumination of our minds by God's Holy Spirit, Who is only concerned with revealing Christ 

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. [15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. - John 16:14 - 15

So, John is taken through a door in heaven into the Holy Place of God's own Tabernacle in Heaven to receive this Revelation of Christ by the Holy Spirit.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. - Rev 4:1

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. - Rev 4:5

B. The Table of Showbread -

The Table of Showbread was referred to as Table of His Presence because the word Showbread literally means 'presence,' and God's light from the Golden Lampstand shone upon it continually. 12 cakes of bread sprinkled with frankincense, stacked in two rows of six each, representing the 12 tribes of Israel were placed upon it. Every Sabbath, fresh bread was placed before God and remained before His presence night and day until the next Sabbath. The week-old bread that was changed was eaten by the priests, holding hands together, in the Holy place. 

When Israel had Holy convocations during the High Sabbaths and other special religious ceremonies, a drink offering was poured out beside the Table of Shewbread in the Holy place.

The Table of Showbread symbolizes the body and blood of Jesus. It was a place of communion where God's people ate and drank with one another in His presence. Just as physical bread produces strength in our physical bodies, so this spiritual meal, and fellowship with one another produces spiritual strength in God's people. Jesus tells us He is the bread that came down from heaven (Joh 6:32 - 58). By this He meant He was the Bread of God's Presence, the One whose flesh and blood provided a blood covenant meal for all Christians (Jew and Gentile) to partake of as one in the Spirit, 

Recall that every child of God is a priest in Christ Jesus (Rev 1:6). The seventh chapter of Revelation is a description of the priests of God (saints) - Jews and Gentiles  - and activities that occur as they gather unto the High Priest in God's Tabernacle, partaking of the Showbread of His Presence. The word Greek word translated as presence, is the same word translated as 'before' in this passage, a further confirmation of the symbolism being alluded to

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev 7:13 - 17.

C. The Altar of Incense -

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. - Rev 8:3 - 4

Revelation 8:3 - 4 is clearly the altar of incense in the Tabernacle of God, just as the earthly Tabernacle depicted here on earth. 

Only the priests, and High priest could offer incense on this altar. Of this angel said to here offer incense, we will have more to say subsequently in Part 2 of this discussion.

3. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)

Only the High Priest was allowed into the the Most Holy Place, once every year on the day of atonement, when he took in the blood of the lamb to atone for the nation of Israel. The only piece of furniture found here was the Ark of God's presence which contained the two stone tablets bearing the 10 commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron's budded rod. 

 The Mercy Seat located between the cherubim was the literal throne of God whence He met with Israel.

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. [22] And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. - Exo 25:21 - 22

If the high priest administered the atonement properly, Israel received God's blessings for that year, but a curse on the contrary, if any of the protocols of the sacrifice was breached. The Most Holy Place was only illuminated by the Shekinah presence of God, adequately described in Revelation 22 

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. - Rev 22:3 - 5.

INSERT FIGURE OF THE TABERNACLE IN REVELATION 

Inser figure of 7 feasts and tabernacle in Revelation 

II. THE SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS

1. The Burnt Offering 

The burnt offering was the most common sacrifice in Israel. The burnt offering is the most common offering, which is offered on a great variety of occasions, often in conjunction with another sacrifice or offering. In addition to this, there were special times at which the

burnt offering was appropriate. Then, there were times when this sacrifice could be offered voluntarily. 

Burnt offerings were to be made every day, in the morning and the evening (Exo 29:38-42; Num. 28:3,6, 2 Chron. 2:4, etc.). An additional burnt offering was to be offered up each Sabbath day (Num. 28:9-10), at the beginning of each month (Num. 28:11), at the celebration of Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month (Num. 28:16), along with new grain offering at Feast of Weeks (Num. 28:27), at the Feast of Trumpets, and in celebration of the new moon (Num. 29:6).

A burnt offering was often offered in conjunction with another sacrifice. Among these were the guilt offering (Lev. 5:7, 10, 17-18), the sin offering (cf. Lev. 5:7; 6:25; 9:2-3, 7; 12:6, 8), the votive or freewill offering (Lev. 22:18), the sheaf offering (Lev. 23:12), and the new grain offering (Lev. 23:15-22, esp. v. 18). There were a number of occasions when a sacrifice was

required for cleansing, of which the burnt offering was one of the sacrifices offered. The burnt offering was required in the cleansing of a woman’s uncleanness as a result of child-bearing (both a sin offering and a burnt offering were required, Lev. 12:6-8), of a leper (Lev. 14:19-20), of a man with a discharge (with a sin offering, Lev. 15:14-15), of a woman with an abnormal discharge (with a sin offering, Lev. 15:30), and of a Nazarite who was unintentionally defiled by contact with a dead body (Num. 6:11, 14).

The purpose of the burnt offering was to make atonement for the sin of the offerer and thus to gain God’s acceptance to make atonement for the offerer’s sinfulness. It addressed man's sinful state, and not just his sinful acts (which were atoned for by other offerings e.g sin and trespass offering). It provided divine 

solution to man's sinfulness.

This is the only offering that neither the priest nor the offerer ate any portion out of. It was wholly offered unto God, and was offered for the very sake of "being acceptable unto God" which in the final analysis, is the ultimate benefit. But this kind of sacrifice is what God calls for from those who would be true disciples. Disciples are those who give up all to follow Christ. They are to count the cost of discipleship, and then to gladly pay it. When we give

ourselves to God, as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2), we are to do so totally, without reserve, so as to be pleasing to Him.

The burnt offering is thus the foundational, fundamental offering found quite early in the book (Rev 1:5), and consequently subliminally associated with other verses referencing all other sacrifices in the book.

Part of the ceremonial rituals included the offerer laying his hand on the head of the animal and confessing his sin on it, after which he slaughtered it. The priest then washed the insides of the animal, cut it up in pieces, and burnt it.

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood - Rev 1:5

Written BY

Rev. Mrs Tonye Ukaa